The Eclipse Citadel, established in 3982, had once been a humble institution, a sanctuary for those who survived the brutal trials to unlock the power of the Ecliptine. But as the centuries passed, the Academy transformed into something much greater: a towering citadel of knowledge and mastery, standing at the heart of the New World. Its spires, shimmering like obsidian against the ever-darkening sky, were a beacon for those who sought to understand not only the power coursing through their veins but also the world they now inhabited.
Kael's first steps onto the grounds were filled with awe. He had heard stories of the Academy, of the elite warriors, scholars, and survivors who had come from all corners of the Earth to study there. But seeing it in person was another matter entirely. The massive stone walls that surrounded the campus seemed to hum with ancient energy, their surfaces etched with symbols he couldn't understand. The wind carried a faint scent of burning herbs and ozone, the atmosphere alive with the pulse of magic and science coexisting.
He wasn't alone in his awe. There were others like him—young men and women who had survived the trials and now stood on the precipice of their new lives. They came from every corner of the world, each with their own journey, their own stories. Some had already found their calling in the world of Beast Slayers, while others were still uncertain. But all were united in the purpose of mastering the power that had been bestowed upon them.
"Welcome to your new life," a deep voice interrupted Kael's thoughts.
He turned to see a tall figure in dark robes, their face hidden behind a mask of shifting shadows. The instructor—one of the Academy's most respected, Kael was certain—motioned for the group to follow. "The first year is simple. It's about control. You'll learn the ways of the Ecliptine and how to harness its power without allowing it to consume you. You'll also learn of the world, its new rules, and the transformations that might one day befall you."
Kael nodded, his heart racing. He had been warned about the mutations—the horrifying changes that could take place if the power was used recklessly. Already, he could feel the pull of the Ecliptine, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts. It was as though the power wanted to be released, wanted to take him, body and soul. But he had learned in the previous trial: control was everything.
As they walked through the vast campus, Kael observed the other students. Some were already transformed, their bodies visibly altered by the power of the Ecliptine. Some had clawed hands, others had strange, metallic limbs. There were whispers of the mutations that had taken place over the years—warriors who had pushed too far, who had given in to the power and become more than human, but less than what they once were. Some of them were still revered, but many were outcasts, living in the shadow of their own creations.
The instructor led them to a series of chambers, each filled with shimmering crystal devices that seemed to hum with a power of their own. Kael was led into one of the rooms, where he was instructed to lie down on a padded table. The instructor waved a hand over a console, and a series of soft, blue lights began to pulse around Kael's body. The sensation was oddly soothing, but also unnerving. His own body seemed to respond, ripples of power flowing just beneath his skin.
"This is the first step," the instructor said, his voice soft but stern. "This process will help you attune your body to the power within. You will learn to control your mutations and resist the overwhelming surge of Ecliptine energy that will inevitably come. Many will fail. Few will succeed."
Kael closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had already passed the trials. This was the beginning of his real journey. He would control the power, not let it control him.
"After the first year," the instructor continued, "you'll move to the second. The real training begins. You'll be sent out into the field, where you'll face real threats, real battles. This will prepare you for the last stage: choosing your profession. Whether you become a Beast Slayer, a Warden of the Wilds, or something else entirely, that choice is yours. But few will make it to the end of the third year. Most of you will have found your path long before then."
Kael's heart quickened at the thought. The Beast Slayer profession—was that his true calling? The idea of it thrilled him, the thought of taking on the wild creatures that had once driven humanity to the brink of extinction. But he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was something more for him, something hidden in the legacy of his father and the spear.
But those answers would have to wait. For now, he would survive the first year—he would master his power and find his place in this strange, transformed world.
And somewhere, in the back of his mind, a dark thought lingered.
The Trial of the Ecliptine had changed him. How much of himself would he lose before the end?